Professional House Cleaning Check List

Mitchell Holt

Professional housecleaning is an extensive task--full of nooks, full of crannies and everything in between. When you're cleaning someone else's house and getting paid for it, the pressure is on, and it's important you hit every spot so they hire you again. The best way to make sure you hit every spot is to have a checklist, separated into categories by cleaning method, most of which are found multiple times throughout a house, according to printablechecklists.com. In using a checklist, it's important to remember to improvise as you go. Every house is different and has little things you need to clean along the way.

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Housecleaning

Pick Up Clutter

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Pick Up Clutter

Before you begin really cleaning the house, pick up the clutter (toys, sports equipment, dishes, trash, magazines). Cleaning the clutter will open your eyes to the real grime and make the task of cleaning the house much less overwhelming, according to Mr. Clean USA. This section also includes straightening desks, shelves, dressers, toy boxes and anything that can get cluttered over time.

Dust

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Dust

Items that must be dusted include light fixtures, furniture with surfaces (tables, shelves, TV stands, desks, hearths), banisters, door frames, bathroom and kitchen counters, bed frames and more. Basically, anything with a surface needs to be dusted. Proper dusting involves a clean rag and a spray dusting agent. For hard-to-reach areas and cobwebs, use a dust bunny. Always dust before you vacuum, according to Mr. Clean USA.

Sweep, Mop and Vacuum

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Sweep, Mop and Vacuum

Sweeping comes first to get rid of surface dirt before moving to mopping and vacuuming, according to Mr. Clean USA. The process is self-explanatory (mop hard-surfaced floors; vacuum carpet). A proper mopping job is done in two steps--a wet mop and a damp/dry mop--both done with warm, soapy water. The wet mop is the initial clean and loosens grime and gunk; the damp mop is the last clean and sops up any standing water so the floor dries faster. If the house has storage closets, make sure you sweep them out, too.

Clean Glass

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Clean Glass

Windows and mirrors are the main bodies of glass that need to be cleaned in the house. Clean windows inside and outside. Use a glass cleaner and clean rag, moving top to bottom and wiping thoroughly, according to Mr. Clean USA. At the end of the job, double check to make sure there are no streaks.

Scrub

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Scrub

Sinks, toilets and bathtubs are some of the dirtiest spots in the house. Clean the inside of each first with a scrubbing agent, such as spray-on bubbles or a bleach cleaner. If you use spray-on bubbles, let the agent sit for about five minutes before wiping away scum with a sponge. If you use a bleach cleaner, wear rubber gloves and scrub, including the drain and hardware. Rinse the cleaners away with water. The bathroom should be sparkling white when you finish.